Donatella On Couture, Paninis With Miuccia, & Her Beauty Routine

This Sunday marks a very special day for Donatella Versace. Not only is the Italian designer showing her fall 2012 couture collection and debuting a new jewelry line, but she’s doing it all at her late brother Gianni’s favorite Ritz Hotel in Paris.

Versace stopped showing the Atelier Versace collections at the Ritz in 2004, but decided that she is ready to return to the famous hotel. She tells WWD:

“It was a moment of my life that I had a hard time remembering, I couldn’t face the past with ease. I could not think of the last time I saw Gianni, in the lobby of the Ritz, two days before he died. I went back over the years, but I was in a cloud, I did not really realize it. It’s very important for me to face this. I’m afraid, my nerves are shot, yet I’m excited, but I can do it for me and for Gianni. This is a collection I think he would really like — it’s very rich.”

So what we can expect from this very rich collection? Twenty-five looks inspired by Pablo Picasso and tarot cards that incorporate textured fabrics, fancy embroidery, organza, silicon-treated silk, and patchwork made from leather and chiffon strips. The runway is even made of aged copper, and lights will change colors as models walk the runway.

As for her new Atelier Jewelry collection, the 16-piece line includes hand-made rings with diamond, emeralds, and precious stones.

“I made a joke and she started to laugh and she said let’s go and get some paninis because we’re starving … and off we went. We just talk, talk, talk. She’s so inspiring. We make fun of each other and teach each other. She says, ‘I could never make sexy clothes, but I love them.’ And I say, ‘Well, I love what you do.'”

Besties!

She also likes to exercise (“not in fresh air, I’m not going to pretend I’m a country girl”) and get Botox (“only on my face, not on my body, that’s the result of hard work”). And her secret to staying young?

“How do I keep young? Haven’t you heard? I sleep every night in the deep freezer!”